Suspension system for motor vehicles



March 8 1960 I F. K. H. NALLINGER 2,927,800

SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Original Filed Sept. 30. 1949 2Sheets-Sheet l I 5 I I 4 INVENTOR msomcu K.H.NALLINGER.

March 8, 1960 F. K. H. NALLINGER 2, 27,800

SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Original Filed Sept. 50, 1949 2Sheet'sSheet 2 INVENTOR FRIEDRICH K.H. NALL|NGER.

ATTO EYS. U

nited States 7 Patent Original application September 30, 1949, SerialNo.

118,736, now Patent No. 2,700,428, dated January 25, 1955. Divided andthis application October 19, 1954, Serial No. 463,987

Claims priority, application Germany October 1, 1948 1 Claims. (Cl.280-1065) The present application is a divisional application of mycopending application, Serial No. 118,736, filed September 30, 1949,entitled Motor Vehicles with Cab over Engine, now Patent No. 2,700,428.

The present invention relates to certain improvements in theconstruction of motor vehicles, and more particularly of smallcommercial vehicles, such as, for example, trucks or delivery carsprovided with the motor thereof at the front end.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention toprovide a motor vehicle of the type described hereinabove whichpossesses a favorable empty weight and offers a favorable spatialarrangement.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a motor vehicleof the commercial type offering a particularly favorable spatialarrangement which may be realized by the provision of a frame having twolongitudinal bearer members, spaced from eachother a relatively smalldistance and enclosing an engine on both sides thereof, which engine isbuilt of relatively small height with the seat extending over theengine, whereby the frame terminates approximately under the seat so asto provide a free space in front thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle with adrivers cab which permits an unimpeded vision of the road and a largefreedom of motion for the driver and attendants together with favorableentrance and alighting conditions.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a foot spacewhich is substantially not or not at all lessened or interfered with bythe engine and the frame or chassis.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a motorwhose overall height is so low that it can be accommodated under theseats of the drivers cab.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provisionof a particularly simple, light, and cheap construction of a commercialtype motor vehicle, especially as regards a light chassis, which offerssuflicient stiffness and rigidity against torsional stresses and whichis characterized by a simple and efiicient springing or cushioning ofthe axles. It is still another object of the present invention toprovide a spring suspension of the wheels or axles on the frame orchassis of motor vehicles of the commercial type, especially of motorvehicles of relatively short construction, which is particularly simpleand is reliable in the complete absorption of all forces between thewheels and the frame.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provisionof a frame, especially of a frame consisting of two longitudinal bearermembers spaced apart only a relatively small distance, which istraversed by cross members, wherein springs, especially helical coilsprings abut with the upper ends thereof against the outer ends of thecross members and with the lower ends thereof against torque rods whichserve as guides and longitudinal supports of the front and rear axles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide aconstruction for commercial type motor vehicles in which the driverscabin as well as the motor and the motor. gear block or transmission arearranged very close to the front end of the vehicle, preferably with alow center of gravity, so that the front axle is well loaded. In thatcase, the useful space can be extended in a forward direction up to .thefront wheels, and in case of a fully loaded vehicle the front and rearaxles can be uniformly loaded. The wheel base may be made very short andmy novel vehicle thus can be made particularly light and maneuverable.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more obvious from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, forpurposes of illustration only, several preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, and wherein Figure l is a side elevational view of afirst embodiment of the invention, with the left hand side wall of thedrivers cab detached,

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure1 with a loading trough not shown for claritys sake.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 1 of a secondembodiment in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV--IV of Figure 3, alsowith the loading trough not shown for claritys sake.

Figure 5 is a sectional front view taken along line V-V of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a section taken along line VI-VI ofFigure 2, and,

Figure-7 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of theinvention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, wherein similarreference numerals denote similar parts in the different views thereof,reference numeral 1 designates the drivers cab, reference numeral 2 theloading trough, reference numerals 3 the front wheels and referencenumerals 4 the rear wheels of the vehicle.

In the embodiment according to Figures 1, 2, and 5, the motor 5 isarranged between the front wheels or between the drivers seat 6 and theattendants seat 6" in such a manner that it protrudes only slightlybeyond the seats in a forward direction. Thus, a free space 7 isprovided extending over the whole width of the vehicle including a lowlevel floor 8 in front of the seats and in front of the motor. Only arelatively small channel or tumiel 10 may be arranged in the floor forthe connections with the frontradiator 9, whereby, however, the freemotion of the driver or of his attendant is not substantiallyimpeded'in' the cab 1. The steering gear leading from the steeringcolumn 11 to the front axle as well as the remaining conventionaloperating and transmission gear shifting means (not shown) required foroperation of the motor vehicle, such as the connections for the clutch,brake, accelerator, etc., may be accommodated underneath the floor'ofthe cab'l or also in small channelsin a well-known manner.

The driving force is transmitted from the motor through the change speedgear 12, the drivingshaft 13, the rear axle gear 14 and the rear axle15' to the rear wheels 4. The chassis comprises a central, tubularlongitudinal bearer 16 which, as shown in Figure 2, is somewhatdisplaced laterally from the central longitudinal plane of the vehicleopposite to the motorgear block and the axle gear, and which is fixedlyconnected or welded to a front cross bearer .17 and a rear cross' bearer18. The front axle 19 and the rear axle 15, which may be formed rigidly,may be guided with respect to the frame by means of diagonal torquebeams on thrust rods 20, an 21, which are linked to the frame by lateraljointsand cushioned by helical springs 22, and 23, whose lower ends bearagainst the torque beams while their upper ends bear against theoutwardly projecting end portions of the cross bearers 17 and 18. Thesprings 22 and 2 3 are spaced outwardly from the longitudinal bearermeans 16 and lie beneath the end portions of the cross bearers nearer tothe wheels than to the longitudinal bearer means 16 and also nearer tothe outer ends of the torque beams than to the inner ends of the latter.The oblique positioni lg Ofthe rods 26* and 21 relative to longitudinalbearer means 16 and the position of the axles 15 and 19 beyond the endsof the longitudinal bearer means is such that the axles may movevertically unimpeded by any portion of the longitudinal bearer means. The loading trough 2 projects only by a small amount over the rear axle.

In theembodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the

engine comprising horizontal or V-shaped cylinders,

is suspended between a frame consisting appropriately of two tubularlongitudinal bearer members 16 audio" which are advantageously spacedfrom each other by anamount just suflicient to mount the motortherebetween which is thereby enclosed on both sides thereof by thebearer members 16' and 16". The cross bearers 17' and 18', which mayalso be tubular and welded to the longitudinal bearers, serve asOutriggers, as in the first embodiment, for supporting helical springs22 and 23 or the like. In a manner similar to the arrangement of Figure2 showing a single longitudinal bearer, the longitudinal bearers 16' and16" closely adjacent the sides of the motor and nearer to thelongitudinal vertical center plane than to the wheels, define a chassisportion that is quite narrow relative to the vehicle track or thetransverse distance between the vehicle wheels. The ends of the crossbearers 17' and 18 project a substantial distance beyond thelongitudinal bearers and en gage the vertical springs which are locatednearer to the wheels than to the longitudinal bearers. Also the springsare spaced from the respective axles and engage the torque beams atpoints nearer to the outer ends thereof than to the ends pivotallyconnected at the outside of the longitudinal bearer members. As seen inboth Figures 2 and 4 the front torque bearer members converge toward therear whereas the rear torque bearer members converge forwardly, allbeing disposed diagonally relative the longitudinal bearer members. In avertical direction the engine 5, which may be of the type withhorizontal cylinders, is moreover disposed in the space between thefront axle 19, for which an approximate channel-shaped recess 59 may beprovided in the motor casing, if so desired, and the seat 6' which isarranged forwardly of the front axle and extends uninterruptedly overthe entire vehicle width thereof. The radiator 9' behind the drivers'cabmay receive the cooling air from the .side or from below, for example,through the doublewalled floor 8 and through the space under the seats6' on the side of the motor.

By reason of the trapezoidal suspension or support of the axles, i.e.,by reason of connection of each torque beam at the longitudinal bearermembers 16' and 16", as contrasted with a triangular suspension in whichthe two diagonal torque beams 20 or 2.1 are connected at the frame in'acommon pivot point, it is possible to forego special cross supports forthe axles in spite of the use of'nonguiding helical coil springs, aslong as a rigid connection between axle and torque beam is assumed. Asseen in Figure 4, the rear axle may be displaced vertically withoutinterference by the longitudinal bearer members 16' and 16", and thetorque beam members connected to the rear axle provide support for thelatter crosswise of the vehicle.

In the illustrated embodiment according to Figure 7, the cab 1 ismounted on the front end of the longitudinal beams 5-1 andboltedthereonto at 24 and 25. Motor 5" is arranged underneath a hood 26which is linked at 2'7 to the cab or chassis and which hood 26 supportsa foldable seat 52. The motor drives a shaft 13" and an axle gear 14-"of the front wheels by means of a transmission 12". The front wheelsmay, for example, be steered independently of each other by links. Floor3 is again arranged as low as possible, approximately at the height ofthe wheel center, and is merely intersected by a tunnel 10 whose upperedge 53 is arranged only slightly above the remaining floor so that itoffers substantially no obstruction. The longitudinal beams 51 terminateunderneath seat 52, and thereby also do not obstruct the foot space infront of the seats so that a foot space 7 which extends substantiallyfreely over the entire width of the vehicle is assured.

In each case the motor is advantageously covered. By removal of thecovering bonnet, if necessary after lifting the seats, the motor caneasily be inspected and attended. Advantageously the arrangement is madeso that on release of the operating members, etc., to be operated by thedriver, and on loosening the necessary fastening screws, the drivers cabcan be removed from the vehicle as a unit. The invention can also beapplied to vehicles with front wheel or four Wheel drive.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certainnow preferred examples and embodimerits of the invention, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art after understanding theinvention, that various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intendedtherefore,. to cover all such changes and modifications in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. In a motor vehicle comprising a pair of front wheels, a pair of rearwheels, a vehicle frame with longitudinal bearer means arranged moreclosely to the vehicle longitudinal center plane than to said wheels, afront cross bearer and a rear cross bearer, said cross bearers,extending with the ends thereof beyond the sides of said longitudinalbearer means, a front axle connecting said front wheels disposed aheadof said front cross bearer, a rear axle connecting said rear wheelsbehind said rear cross bearer, a pair of thrust rods for said front axleconnected with said front axle in proximity of said Wheels and disposedfrom said front axle rearwardly inwardly at an inclination against saidlongitudinal bearer means with means for pivotally connecting saidthrust rods with said longitudinal bearer means on the outside thereof,vertically arranged springs supported with the upper ends against theends of said front cross bearer and with the lower ends thereof againstsaid thrust rods, a further pair of thrust rods for said rear axle,connected with said rear axle in proximity with said rear wheels anddisposed at an inclination from said rear axle forwardly and inwardlyagainst said longitudinal bearer means with means for pivotallyconnecting said thrust rods with said longitudinal. bearer means on theoutside thereof, and further vertically arranged springs supported withthe upper ends thereof against the ends of said rear cross bearer andwith the lower ends thereof against said further thrust rods.

2. In a motor vehicle, the combination accordingto claim 1, wherein saidlongitudinal bearer means consists of two longitudinal bearers arrangedclosely to and on both sides of a vertical longitudinal center plane ofthe vehicle. 7

3. In a motor vehicle the combination .aCCQrding to claim 1, whereinboth cross bearers enclose the, frame,

toward the front and rear respectively, said longitudinal bearer meansterminating at said cross bearers.

4. In a motor vehicle, a vehicle chassis including longitudinal bearermeans, front and rear transverse bearer means extending transversely atthe endsof said longitudinal bearer means, a pair of front wheelsincluding a front axle located forwardly of the front transverse bearermeans, a pair of rear wheels including a rear axle located rearwardly ofthe rear transverse bearer means, said longitudinal bearer meansdefining a portion of said chassis that is quite narrow relative to thevehicle track, each of said transverse bearer means having endsprojecting a substantial distance outwardly in opposite directionsbeyond said longitudinal bearer means so that the ends are disposednearer to said wheels than to said longitudinal bearer means, torquebeam means connected to the respective axles near the ends of the latterand interconnecting said axles with said longitudinal bearer means andextending obliquely inwardly toward said longitudinal bearer means, andspring means intermediate said torque beam means and the ends of saidtransverse bearer means, said spring means being located in spacedrelationship with respect to said axles but nearer to the ends of saidtorque bearer means which are connected to the axles than to theopposite ends of said torque bearer means.

5. In a motor vehicle, a front axle, a rear axle, each axle supporting apair of wheels at opposite sides of the vehicle, a chassis framecomprising afront cross bearer in the vicinity of and behind said frontaxle and a rear cross bearer in the vicinity and forward of said rearaxle, the portion of said chassis frame extendinglongitudinally betweensaid cross bearers being substantially narrower than the width of thevehicle between said Wheels, each of said cross bearers having endsprojecting outwardly in opposite directions a substantial distancebeyond said narrow portion of the frame with said ends lying nearer tosaid wheels than to said narrow frame portion, a pair of rearwardlyconverging torque beams for supporting said front axle on said frame,said beams extending beneath the respective ends of said front crossbearer and diagonally inwardly toward the portion of the frame betweensaid cross bearers, forwardly convergent torque beams for supportingsaid rear axle from said frame, said forwardly converging beamsextending beneath the respective ends of said rear cross bearerdiagonally inwardly toward the portion of the frame between said crossbearers, vertical springs between said front axle torque beams and theends of 'said front cross bearer for cushioning said front axle withrespect to said frame, and vertical springs between said rear axletorque beams and the ends of said rear cross bearer for cushioning saidrear axle with respect to saidframe.

6. In a motor vehicle, a chassis frame includinglongitudinal bearermeans, transverse bearer means connected to one end of said longitudinalbearer means and having end portions projecting laterally in oppositedirections outwardly a substantial distance beyond said longitudinalbearer means, a pair of wheels including axlemean's located on one sideof said transverse bearer means opposite said longitudinal bearer means,means including torque beam means connecting said axle means to saidlongituclinal bearer means, said torque beam means being piv-v otallyconnected to said longitudinal bearer means at the farther from saidlongitudinal bearer means than from said axle, said springs beinglocated nearer to'said wheels than to said longitudinal bearer means.

7. In a motor vehicle, a chassis frame including two spaced longitudinalbearer means, transverse bearer means connected to one end of saidlongitudinal bearer means, a pair of wheels including axle means locatedon one side of said transverse bearer means opposite said longitudinalbearer means and beyond the ends of the latter to permit verticalmovement of the axlemeans unimpaired by the longitudinal bearer means,and suspension means including torque beam means connected to said axlemeans and to said longitudinal bearer means converging toward the latterand including spring means for supporting said torque beam means againstsaid transverse bearer means References Cited in the file of this patent1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,079,249 Li11es Nov. 18, 1913 2,035,212 AlbornMar. 24, 1936 2,064,100 Bachman Dec. 15, 1936 2,151,229 Piroumolf et a1.Mar. 21, 1939 2,345,448 Best -2- Mar. 28, 1944 2,362,453 Cosper Nov. 14,1944 2,367,817 Brown Jan. 23, 1945 2,396,506 Harris Mar. 12, 19462,475,487 I Ennis July 5, 1949 2,480,934 Julien' Sept. 6, 1949 2,502,622Harris Apr. 4, 1950 2,564,888 Foley et al. Aug. 21, 1951 2,700,428Nallinger Jan. 25, 1955' FOREIGN PATENTS 349,688 France Apr. 7, 1905267,099 Italy Aug. 24, 1929 I

